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The drive up to the lake cabin was peaceful, considering how close to the Christmas season it was. Bucky's flesh hand rested on your lap as he drove the Mercedes-Benz through the New York state woods. For you and Bucky, it was one of the many traditions the pair of you had for each year. From the 21st of December to the 2nd of January, you spent your time in the snowy wilderness, ice skating on the lake, sitting by the fire and drinking hot cocoa.
One of the back seats of the SUV was down, allowing for more space in the trunk for groceries and clothes that you would inevitably keep in storage up there. While the other held Alpine in her luxury travel carrier, the white kitten spoiled more than any other pet in the world as she chewed on a fishy-flavoured treat.
With Bucky's company doing so well, he was starting to take a step back from his duties as Chief Executive Officer. He had worked so hard in his twenties to get the business going, to create and distribute the first prosthetics that allowed for seamless connection between the brain and the new limb itself. Hours spent in R&D, with artists and fellow engineers, and finally testing his products on himself until one finally worked. To put it lightly, Bucky was very lucky to have found you. Patient, kind and optimistic you, who sat through every failed prosthetic, who listened to him when the worries became too much, who financially supported him with your own job before the money was being made.
You were there for him through everything, so as soon as the company took off, and became public on the stock market, exponentially increasing his wealth, the coasts of Santorini were the first trip you took together. It wasn't shocking when he proposed on that trip, what did surprise you was the expensive ring that sat daintily in a red velvet box in his palm as he murmured the words "Will you marry me?" while sand irritated his knee and shin.
Not long after, you were married on a small farm and barn house in Tuscany, drinking too much wine and eating too much cheese for the two of you to handle.
That was five years ago, and now you were both starting to fully enjoy the extent of Bucky's wealth, which included multiple properties in multiple countries. But between the villa in Santorini on the same beach he proposed, and the lake house you visited during the holiday period, you weren't sure which one you liked more.
"Almost there, Doll," Bucky murmured, finding your hand in your lap, lacing his fingers in between yours and bringing the back of your hand to his lips, pressing a soft, loving kiss close to your knuckles. "I can already hear Alpine itching to get out."
"She's ready to catch some mice," You snickered, feeling your heart bloom when he kissed your hand. That feeling never went away. In all the time you had loved him and been together, you never stopped feeling the passion, the love, the tightness in your heart when you saw him. He was your soulmate, your everything, and you were his.
"Miss Alpine is a dignified little lady who would never even approach a rodent, let alone catch one," Bucky teased. "Isn't that right, Alpine?"
"Mrow." Was all Alpine could say to her adoptive dad from her place in the carrier, not understanding the conversation between her parents.
"She most definitely would," You retorted. "She is a little apex predator in disguise and would more than likely, if we even had rats or mice in the penthouse."
"And I'd like to keep it that way," Bucky shuddered. "I'm just hoping the guys have maintained the grounds well this year like they did last year."
"Yeah, me too," You smiled. "It's always beautiful up here during the winter. I'm so glad that we get to come up here and spend Christmas just the two of us together."
"It's peaceful, and that's why we both like it," Bucky sighed softly. "As much as I love New York, it's busy as hell."
"Maybe one day, we can move out to the suburbs, or get that Brooklyn brownstone you've always wanted."
"Maybe," Bucky thought out loud. "We never know. Maybe the company could go to shit next week."
"It won't, Bucky. You've built a company that wants to help people and does. You are so integrated in the business because you care. You know the names of every hospital worldwide and the names of the people who you have helped the most. That shows people around the world that you're a good man."
"I know, it's always going to be a small little voice in the back of my head no matter what."
"And that's okay," You smiled. "That's a valid thing to have. It's only bad when you start worrying yourself to death over it."
"I'm fine, Doll," Bucky reassured you, pressing another kiss to the back of your palm. "Promise."
"Good," You murmured. "I love you, Buck."
"Love you more, Baby Girl."
The cabin was just how you remembered it. Oak walls with stone pillars, and a balcony that looked over the lake. The chimney stuck out of the gable roof in full stony glory. The gravel that once dominated the driveway had recently been paved over with concrete and lined with all-season shrubs.
"Cabin Sweet Cabin," Bucky joked as he pulled the luxury car under the shelter. He unbuckled his own seatbelt and got out, quickly rushing around the front of the car to open your door for you. "After you, Gorgeous."
"Thanks, Handsome," You smiled as you placed your hand in his and he helped you to get out of the car.
"Anytime," He hummed, immediately grabbing Alpine out and letting her run free from the carrier, knowing she would always stay close to the two of you.
You spent the next hour or so getting the stuff out of the car, with Bucky organising the fridge and pantry, and you handling both of your clothes. You were careful to keep the small present bag hidden from Bucky's eyes, not wanting to spoil the surprise too soon. That was his Christmas present after all, and James Buchanan 'Bucky' Barnes was the nosiest human being alive.
Changing out of your jeans and into your pajamas, you finally stepped downstairs and into the kitchen. Alpine was running around with her mouse toy as Bucky began to prepare dinner.
"Whatcha' making?" You asked, wrapping your arms around Bucky's waist, looking around his arm.
"Just that pesto and chicken gnocchi you like," He replied, dipping down quickly to kiss your forehead. "Is that okay?"
"It's more than okay," You responded. "Don't go to too much effort for me."
"Babe," Bucky paused and turned around. "If I stop putting in too much effort for you, I'd like you to slap me and remind me of what I've got. You are the most perfect, most beautiful, kindest, smartest woman alive, and I'm lucky to call you my wife, my best friend and my soulmate."
"Bucky…" You whispered, tears pooling in your eyes. Even after years of being together, he still managed to make you cry happy tears with just his words alone. "I love you so much, you don't even understand."
"If you love me as much as I love you… I definitely understand."
"You're such a sap," You retorted, whacking his shoulder lightly, before burying your face in his chest.
"You okay, Honey?" He asked when he began to feel you sob and tears soaked through his shirt.
"Sorry, I feel like my emotions have been on overdrive lately," You explained, knowing exactly what was causing it, while Bucky was ever oblivious to the changes happening in your body at that very moment.
"That's okay. You're okay," Your husband reassured as he brought you closer to his chest and rubbed his hand against your back, doing his best to soothe you. "Deep breaths, in…and out…in…and out…"
After following his directions, you found yourself calming down. Your sobs slowly dying out into hiccups against his chest.
"I love you so much," You hummed contentedly.
"I love you more."
Once you had finally eaten and cleaned up, you and Bucky made the effort to put the Christmas tree up. Taking it from the storage cabinet under the stairs, you put each piece together, connecting the fake pine tree to make a tree as tall as Bucky. Each red and gold bauble was carefully placed to line up underneath the silver tinsel, before finally taking a step back to admire your work.
"It's missing something," Bucky hummed, tilting his head to try and get the best idea of what could be next placed on the tree.
You did the same, tilting your head the opposite way before a metaphorical light bulb appeared over your head. "The star!"
"That's it!" Bucky clicked his tongue in acknowledgement and went to go look through the Christmas box full of excess baubles, tinsel and fairy lights that wouldn't be used this year. "Aha! Got it!"
Bucky grinned as he pulled the silver star out of the cardboard box and held it out to you. "Would the Shining Star of My Life like to put the star on the Christmas tree?"
"You're so fucking corny," You snorted, before taking the star from him and turning around so your back was towards him. "Can I get a boost, please?"
"Of course, Doll," Bucky smiled, placing his hands carefully around your waist to pick you up. The metal plates of his arms shifted to accommodate the weight as you quickly placed the plastic star covered in glitter onto the tip of the tree.
"It looks perfect now…" You murmured as Bucky put you down and brought you under his arm.
"Not as perfect as you," Bucky hummed in response, looking down at you.
"James…" You sighed in content, pausing to look up at him. "I can't wait until Christmas to give you my gift."
Bucky raised his eyebrow and smirked. "What gift?"
"Just- just wait here," You grinned in excitement, as you quickly headed up the stairs to the main bedroom where your present was currently hiding. You fixed up the bow, making sure that it looked just like a normal present, before rushing down the stairs again. Letting out a soft huff, you handed the bag to him. "Merry Christmas, Honey."
Bucky gave you a look of confusion once again, his eyebrows furrowing as he looked at you and then the present now in his hands. He carefully pulled the tape off the opening and looked inside. Choosing to sit down to continue, he pulled the smaller, wrapped present out of the bag.
"What is this?" Bucky questioned softly, trying to inspect the gift without actually opening it.
"You'll find out when you open it," You prompted, sitting down next to him on the couch, placing encouraging hands on his knee.
Bucky did as he was told, ripping the paper with his thumbs and forefingers, pulling the Christmas-themed wrapping paper away from the item.
Your gut churned nervously, watching as he pulled the pregnancy test out of the paper with an unreadable expression. "Merry Christmas…" You mumbled out awkwardly.
"You're pregnant?" Bucky whispered, still looking down at the stick in his hands. The plus symbol on the flat rod stared back at him. "How long have you known?"
"I found out last week, I'm four weeks pregnant," You responded, your hands shaking as you lifted them away from his knee.
"Don't," His voice broke, pulling your hands back towards his knees. He finally looked up at you, tears pooling in the corners of his eyes. "I'm gonna be a Dad?"
"Yeah, honey," You smiled hopefully, tears beginning to well up in your own eyes. "We're gonna be parents."
Before you could even react, Bucky pulled you into his arms, squeezing your shoulders so tight as he lay back on the couch. He helped you to straddle his lap, trying to get you as close to him as humanly possible. He was silent for a moment before he spoke again, this time, a whisper in your ear. "This is the best Christmas ever."
"I love you, Buck."
"Love you more, Doll."